asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why, in Notice No. 77G, the Commissioners of Customs and Excise have made it compulsory for traders, who export goods and who wish to claim relief from Purchase Tax, to fill up a new set of forms asking for a set of details which were not previously required; why the existing Post Office receipt has proved inadequate after 12 years; and why it is necessary for a new label to be affixed to exported goods bearing the words, "Exported Free of Purchase Tax by Post."

I regret the necessity for this change. The previous position had led to a number of evasions of tax. In order to minimise trouble to all concerned, the new forms are similar to those already required by foreign Customs regulations to accompany the parcel.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many new Purchase Tax registrations have been granted in the present financial year; and how this figure compares with previous years.

The number of new registrations in the first six months of the present financial year was 2,245. This compares with 5,301 and 5,364 in each of the two previous years.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what uses it has been mutually agreed between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of the United States of America that sterling paid by British importers for United States surplus foodstuffs and tobacco will be put.

My right hon. Friend has received assurances from the United States Administration that the sterling proceeds of the surplus United States commodities which Her Majesty's Government have so far proposed to purchase will be applied in relief of the United Kingdom defence budget.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he has in mind to remove the injustice to retirement pensioners as a result of the increased cost of food in the last two years, which has nullified the 2s. 6d. increase in the basic pension granted in the 1952 Budget.

The cost of food has risen only by about 2 per cent. since retirement pensions were raised in 1952. As this increase in the retirement pension varied between 28.6 per cent. and 8 per cent. according to the age and married status of the pensioner, I do not agree that it has been nullified by so small a variation in food prices.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount of entertainment tax paid by Scottish professional football clubs in each year since 1945; and what fraction of their total receipts this represented in each year.

I regret that the particulars requested are not available. The total receipts of Entertainments Duty collected in Scotland from football matches of all kinds, both professional and amateur, are as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount received in revenue from the pool betting duty on greyhound racing totalisators during 1952; and the amount of revenue received from horse racing totalisators during the same year.

The amount received in revenue from the pool betting duty on totalisators at greyhound tracks in 1952 was£6,472,132. The pool betting duty does not apply to totalisators on horse race tracks.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the receipts, from the beginning of the present financial year to the latest convenient date, in respect of Entertainments Duty on Association football, Rugby League football, and boxing respectively: and by how much all these amounts would have been reduced if the duty had been waived in respect of each Form E.D. 31 in which the grand total of column (h) did not exceed£1,000,£1,500 and£2,000, respectively.

Separate particulars of receipts of Entertainments Duty from Association football and Rugby League football, respectively, are not available. Receipts of duty from admissions to football matches generally and to boxing amounted to£952,000 and£78,000, respectively, in the first seven months of the present financial year. The information requested in the second part of the Question is not available; it could only be obtained by the lengthy examination of a large number of returns.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the expenditure of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, in terms of the 1949 price level, was during 1952–53,£4,360,000, as against 1951–52,£4,523,000 and 1950–51,£4,410,000; and whether he will give an assurance that the increased funds to be made available for this department in future years will be sufficient to enable the expenditure of the department to be in excess of the expenditure during recent years, after adjustment for increased prices since 1949–50.

I am not sure on what basis my hon. Friend's figures are calculated, but I agree that there may have been some slight fall in real expenditure in 1952–53. However, the 1953–54 Estimates for the Department provide for an increase in expenditure of about£400,000 over the 1952–53 level. My right hon. Friend is, of course, aware of the vital work done by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, and the House will wish to know that a general understanding has been reached between the Department and the Treasury which, subject to certain necessary reservations, in particular to this House voting the necessary funds, provides for the gradual expansion of the Department's activities over the next five years.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total cost of the social services, in terms of a percentage of the national income, for the years 1938 and 1952.

Figures are available only for financial, not calendar years. For 1938–39 the figure was 12 per cent; for 1952–53 17 per cent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the value of the post-war credits which are still unredeemed; and by how much this figure would be increased if they had carried interest at 3 per cent. since they were issued.

The amount of post-war credits at present outstanding is about£572 million. If each credit had been accumulated at 3 per cent. compound interest from the end of the year in which it was originally created, this figure would be increased by£184 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the net cost of the proposed increase in the remuneration of judges, after deducting Income and Surtax, on the assumption that they have no other taxable income.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether his estimate of£235,000 per annum, as the cost of the salary increases in the Judges' Remuneration Bill, takes account of the incidence of Income Tax and Surtax; and if he will give an estimated figure for the real cost to the Treasury when taxation has been paid.

£235,000 is the gross cost before allowing for Income Tax and Surtax. The net cost will depend on the personal circumstances of each judge, but on the assumption that each judge is married, is without dependant children, is entitled to a deduction of£100 for expenses, and that neither he nor his wife has other income, the net figure would be£58,900.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the saving to the Treasury resulting from the reduced Government contribution to the National Insurance Scheme since 1950.

The National Insurance Act, 1951, provided for a reduction in the Exchequer payments to the National Insurance Fund and as a result the Exchequer will have paid£204 million less during the three years ending in March, 1954 than was originally contemplated under the National Insurance Act, 1946. This is, however, a temporary adjustment and in the very near future large additional sums will be required to meet the rising cost of retirement pensions.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that sugar exported from the United Kingdom to the Lebanon, ostensibly in transit to Iraq, is being disposed of in the Lebanon and Persia, with consequent dollar losses to the United Kingdom; and what steps he proposes to take.

I am aware of the evidence that this is happening, and the matter is already being thoroughly investigated. Until this has been done, I cannot say precisely what steps should be taken.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of fatal and lion-fatal accidents which have occurred on farms during the last five years as a result of bulls getting out of control; and if he will make recommendations to minimise these occurrences, particularly in relation to boys and junior apprentices employed in the countryside.

Thirty-eight fatal accidents occurred on farms during the four years 1949–52 as a result of bulls getting out of control. Figures are not available for 1948, nor are figures available for non-fatal accidents. None of the fatal accidents concerned persons under the age of 20 years.I am reviewing the general question of promoting the safety of workers in agriculture in the light of the recommendations made in the Gowers Report and other suggestions that have been made to my Department from time to time.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will make a statement on the proposals for livestock marketing and slaughtering submitted to him by the Trades Union Congress.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Government's decisions on fatstock marketing contained in the White Paper on Decontrol of Food and Marketing of Agricultural Produce (Command 8989).

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to a speech made at Aberdeen recently by a superintending veterinary officer of the Ministry of Agriculture in his official capacity recommending that the inspection of meat should only be done by members of the veterinary profession, in view of the large proportion of disease among animals; whether this proposal was made with his approval; and whether he will consult with the Minister of Food with a view to its adoption.

The speech to which the hon. Member refers was made by a superintending veterinary officer of my Department in his capacity as President of the British Veterinary Association and not in his official capacity and my approval was not sought. I have consulted my right hon. and gallant Friend the Minister of Food and understand that he is satisfied that the present arrangements for meat inspection are adequate to ensure that diseased meat is not sold for human consumption.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how long the field trials of the Imbra humane rabbit trap are expected to take.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what progress has been made in his tests of the new trap for the destruction of rabbits; and when it will be introduced on a wholesale scale.

Full-scale tests only started after the harvest and it would be premature to draw any conclusions at this stage. As I said in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Aylesbury (Mr. Summers) on 25th June, I hope to have useful results by the beginning of next year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture (1) who appoints the nominated members of the Agricultural Land Tribunal; and by whom, and in what manner, members of the panel are selected to sit on each particular case;(2) how far he delegates his powers of appointment of members of the Agricultural Land Tribunal; under what authority he deputes his powers; and to whom he deputes them.

The Chairman of an Agricultural Land Tribunal is appointed by the Lord Chancellor and must be a barrister or solicitor of not less than seven years' standing. The other two members are appointed by me, for each reference to the Tribunal, from panels of persons nominated, in the case of one member, by the National Farmers' Union and in the case of the other, by the Country Landowners' Association. The actual appointments are made on my instructions by my Provincial Land Commissioner, who consults the Chairman of the Tribunal before making a selection from the names.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the terms of reference of the inquiry which is to be held as to the circumstances concerning Commander Marten and Crichel Down; and if he will initiate a similar inquiry into the case of Colonel Chayton, details of which have been sent to him.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave yesterday to my hon. Friend, the Member for Dorset, North (Mr. Crouch).I have written to my hon. Friend about the case mentioned in the latter part of his Question. The circumstances are not the same and it does not call for any similar inquiry.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he is taking to control the spread of myxomatosis.

asked the Minister of Agriculture why he is spending money and effort on the wiring-in of those warrens in the county of Kent wherein the rabbits are infected with myxomatosis.

It cannot be taken for granted that, because wild rabbits are a pest and myxomatosis destroys them, we should allow the disease to spread from the initial outbreaks in this country. Its effectiveness might well diminish in course of time; but its disadvantages would remain. We cannot lightly accept the establishment of a new virus disease; nor can we disregard the humanitarian aspect. The disease affects domestic as well as wild rabbits.As I announced in the House on 29th October, the Secretary of State for Scotland and I have appointed a committee to advise us on the problems raised by the disease, and in the meantime my Department is making every effort to contain and destroy rabbits in the three known centres of infection. The committee is in full agreement with the action so far taken.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will now make a statement concerning the proposal that rabbits should be infected with the disease which has proved successful in reducing the rabbit population in Australia and in France.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply I have given today to the hon. Members for Derbyshire, West (Mr. E. Wakefield) and Brigg (Mr. E. L. Mallalieu).

asked the Minister of Agriculture the reason for the increase in personnel in his Department's establishment division II, from 1,420 in 1952–53 to 1,485 in 1953–54.

The increased estimate was due partly to the need for more typing staff to deal with the new fertiliser subsidies and partly to an underestimate in the 1952–53 figure for messengers and cleaners. It has in fact been possible to reduce the staff in this Division below the estimate.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the reason for the increase in personnel in his Department's Legal Division, from 79 in 1952–53 to 83 in 1953–54.

The increase in the staff of my legal department has been necessary to carry out additional clerical work, mainly the recovery of debts under the Goods and Services Scheme.

asked the Minister of Agriculture why it is necessary to increase the number of staff, locally-engaged, abroad.

The increase is only apparent, due to certain changes in the form of the Estimate. The number in post has, in fact, been reduced from 12 in December, 1951, to nine at the present date, with one further post vacant.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the reason for the estimated increase in the amount required in the year ending 31st March, 1953, for the salaries and expenses of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, from£144,412 in 1952–53, to£155,413 in 1953–54.

The cost of salaries at Kew has increased on account of normal salary increments and the appointment of additional industrial and clerical staff necessitated by the general development and expansion of the work. General expenses are higher than in 1952–53 because stocks of materials were run down in that year and have now to be replenished.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the reason for the estimated increase from£733,125 in 1952–53 to£744,525 in 1953–54 in the amount to be spent on smallholdings and allotments, contributions towards losses of local authorities.

The increase is due to an increased provision for contributions to local authorities in respect of smallholdings work under the Agriculture Act, 1947. The greater part of this subhead (£708,500 in 1952–53 and£704,500 in 1953–54) covers continuing Exchequer commitments in respect of smallholdings work carried out by local authorities under previous legislation.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the reason for the estimated increase in salaries and travelling expenses for general services, by£517,444 and£60,000, respectively, in 1953–54.

The greater part of the estimated increase in salary costs is due to normal salary increments and to the substitution of monthly for quarterly payment of the fees of local veterinary inspectors. Other factors have been the appointment of additional veterinary staff and of additional industrial staff at experimental husbandry farms, together with increased rates of pay for officers in the works group. The increase in travelling expenses is mainly due to a similar change in the method of payment of the expenses of local veterinary inspectors and to the effect of increased mileage rates and subsistence allowances in a full year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that at a recent sale of imported Landrace pigs the average price per pig was more than£900; and whether he will permit a further importation, under suitable safeguards, in view of the keen demand for these animals.

Yes. As regards the second part of the Question the recent importation of Swedish landrace pigs was intended to allow the suitability of the breed to be tested under British conditions. I do not propose to consider making an order under the Diseases of Animals Act, 1950, permitting a further import until there has been an opportunity to observe the results of this importation.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the estimated value, in the latest convenient period, of kitchen waste recovered by the local authorities; and what was the estimated cost of its recovery.

The value, after processing, of kitchen waste recovered by local authorities in the year ended 31st March, 1953, was about£1·6 million. The costs of individual local authorities vary considerably, but during the last 10 months of the year in question the price of raw kitchen waste was controlled at a figure of£3 10s. a ton, based on the estimated average cost of collection.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the reduced demand for kitchen waste and the heavy cost of its collection, he will now consider withdrawing the direction by which local authorities are required to maintain these collections.

I intend to make a statement shortly on this subject.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many dogs coming into Great Britain have gone to quarantine stations during the last 25 years; and how many of these have left the quarantine stations in a healthy condition after six months' quarantine.

During the last 25 years, 27,594 dogs have been put into quarantine on arrival in this country. There are no records of the state of their health when leaving, but it is known that 19 died of rabies while in quarantine.

asked the Minister of Agriculture when he proposes to introduce legislation for the abolition of the use of the gin trap.

Prohibition of the use of the gin trap is under active consideration in conjunction with other proposals relating to the destruction of pests, but I am not yet in a position to make any announcement on the subject.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware of the number of instances where retailers of tomatoes have been omitting the correct marking of imported tomatoes and have allowed them to be sold as though they were home produced; and if he will, again, bring this matter to the notice of local authorities and remind them of the need for the appropriate Regulations to be enforced in the interests of home producers.

I am aware that retailers in some districts have exposed imported tomatoes for sale this season without a proper indication of origin. Local authorities were reminded last year of the marking Orders now in operation and the attention of traders in tomatoes was drawn this year to the requirements of the Tomato Marking Order. I do not propose to circularise local authorities again at present.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has now reached a conclusion on the application of the Essex River Board, under Section 1 of the Coastal Flooding (Emergency Provisions) Act, 1953, for an authorisation to install dams in certain creeks adjoining the rivers Roach and Crouch.

The Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation and I have considered this application in the light of representations received from the interests concerned. It appears that it would be inappropriate to deal with the issues raised by this application under emergency powers of limited duration and I have decided, therefore, to reject it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make regulations to implement the recommendations of the Cinema Consultative Committee to prohibit unaccompanied children, under five years of age, from attendance at cinemas, and unaccompanied children under 12 years of age, from attendance after 8 p.m.; and the attendance of unaccompanied children at any part of a programme which contains both A and U films.

I am giving careful consideration to these recommendations, but it will not be possible in any event to make regulations about these matters until the Cinematograph Act, 1952, has been brought into force.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he intends to take on the recommendation of the Gowers Committee.

Her Majesty's Government have under consideration the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Capital Punishment, but I am not yet in a position to make any statement on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to suspend the death penalty until the report of the Gowers Committee has been discussed and a decision taken on action in regard to it.

No. The publication of the Report of the Royal Commission affords no grounds to support this proposal and I am not prepared to anticipate a decision which could properly be taken only by Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is now in a position to make a reply to the hon. Member for Greenwich on the high fees charged by medical practitioners for certificates required under the Cremation Acts, 1902 and 1952, in view of his statement of Thursday, 16th April, 1953, that he hoped to make a statement on this subject in the near future.

The British Medical Association have advised medical practitioners that a suitable fee for the completion of either Certificate B or Certificate C is two guineas plus a mileage allowance, where applicable, at the rate of 1s. per mile, or part of a mile, each way outside a radius of two miles. In view of this action I do not propose at present to make use of the power contained in the Cremation Act, 1952, to prescribe maximum fees.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to take action on the Gowers Report on the Shops Acts.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the promised legislation to amend the Shops Act, in the light of the Gowers Report on closing hours, will be introduced.

Suggested provisions for amending legislation on shop hours were circulated in March to interested organisations for consideration. Many of the interested organisations have not yet sent in their comments. We are trying to expedite them, but it will take some time to complete the necessary consultations. I cannot yet say, however, when it will be possible to introduce legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners have recently escaped from Stafford gaol whilst on working parties outside the prison; whether all these have now been recaptured; and whether he is satisfied that adequate arrangements have now been made to prevent the recurrence of such escapes.

During the last two months an average of 175 prisoners from Stafford prison have been employed on potato harvesting on neighbouring fauns, and seven men have recently escaped from these outside parties. All have now been recaptured. Such incidents can be avoided only by very careful selection of the men, and the governor of the prison is fully alive to this.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners have escaped from open prisons during the last 12 months.

During the year ended 31st October, 1953, 20 prisoners have absconded from 13 open prisons and satellite camps.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation to prohibt all forms of corporal punishment on children of tender age whether by parents, guardians, teachers or any other person.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give fresh consideration to the advantages of allowing summer time to continue until the third week in October next year, taking into account the views of the general public and also the farming community.

Under the Summer Time Acts, 1922 and 1925, the period of summer time ends in the first week in October. Any permanent change in the period would require legislation, but it can be extended in any particular year by an Order in Council made under the Summer Time Act, 1947, which requires the affirmative Resolution of both Houses. In considering whether use should be made of this exceptional procedure for 1954 I shall take into account, among other things, the interests of the farming community and the general public. Perhaps my hon. Friend will give me as soon as possible such information as to the views of the farming community as he has.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the purpose of the meeting which he recently held with Metropolitan magistrates; and whether he will make a statement.

I have for some time been concerned about the problems of prostitution and of importuning by male persons in London, though I would add that I think it important to view this matter in a proper perspective and not to draw exaggerated pictures of the extent of the evil to be found in our streets. I have, therefore, been anxious to obtain advice and information from various quarters, including information about the law and practice in other countries, which might help me in considering whether any amendment of the law or any changes in the present methods of enforcing the law would be likely to help in dealing with the problem.As part of these inquiries I arranged for an Assistant Under-Secretary of State in the Home Office and a Commander of the Metropolitan Police to visit the United States. I also recently had a discussion with some of the Metropolitan magistrates who deal with cases of this kind arising in the West End with a view to getting first hand knowledge of their impressions and experience. I did not, of course, seek to advise the magistrates how they should deal with particular cases coming before them. I am studying various aspects of these problems, but I have no further statement to make at present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his consultations with the Lord Chancellor on the question of clerks of the court accompanying magistrates when they retire to consider a case.

My noble Friend the Lord Chancellor and I have been in consultation with the Lord Chief Justice. I understand that the Lord Chief Justice intends to make a statement in the near future. This will make it unnecessary for my noble Friend, the Lord Chancellor, to issue any further memorandum on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when legislation will be introduced to deal with problems of health, welfare and safety in shops and offices which were the subject of inquiry and report by the Gowers Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he proposes to introduce legislation to implement the recommendations of the Gowers Committee on the Health, Safety and Welfare of Non-Industrial Workers; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he proposes to implement the Gowers Report by introducing legislation to extend the protection of the Factories Acts to office and similar non-industrial workers.

Progress has been made with the discussion with interested organisations of the tentative proposals for legislation to which I have referred in previous statements; but I am not yet in a position to say when it will be practicable to introduce legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he proposes to take to implement the recommendations made by the Royal Commission on Betting and Gambling.

I can hold out no hope of early legislation on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to require the regular publication by all football pool organisations of reasonably detailed accounts of their weekly transactions.

I have no power to impose such a requirement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why a flashing police notice about a cab rank has been placed in Thirleby Road, Westminster, adjoining the sign which indicated that this place was reserved for a cab rank on 1st March, 1922; whether he is aware that for many years no cabs have occupied this rank, which has been used as an addition to the authorised parking place; and whether he will abolish this cab rank so that it can remain as an addition to the authorised parking place.

I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that this rank has not been used by cabs because it is constantly obstructed by private cars. The sign was placed there as an experiment in order to ascertain if cabs would make use of the rank if it was kept clear of cars. The experiment is for one month, which will expire on 17th November, when a decision on the retention of the rank will be taken.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider adopting the use of tape recording apparatus, with suitable safeguards, when statements of confessions are being taken by the Metropolitan Police.

I have considered this proposal. There are many practical objections, and I can find no sufficient grounds to warrant its adoption.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been drawn to the 1951 report of the Inspectors of Constabulary and, in particular, to the number of extraneous duties which fall upon the police; and if he will consider advising a rearrangement of such duties, so that the activities of the police can be mainly concentrated upon the prevention and detection of crime and the control of road traffic.

I am sending to my hon. and gallant Friend a copy of the report of the Committee on Police Extraneous Duties which was submitted to me earlier this year, together with a copy of a circular letter which I recently issued to police authorities in England and Wales asking them to review, in the light of the Committee's observations, the scope of the extraneous duties at present placed upon the members of the force.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the part which police take in the control of road traffic and the need for more frequent checking of brakes, steering and roadworthiness of vehicles generally, what special efforts are being made to bring the police force up to full strength.

I am most anxious that police establishments should be brought up to full strength in order to enable the police to carry out efficiently their various responsibilities, including their responsibilities for the control of traffic. During the last two years, considerable improvements have been made in police conditions of service and the building of police houses has been pressed forward. In recent months, advertising for the Metropolitan Police Force and for certain other forces has been carried out on a wider scale than hitherto, and new negotiating machinery for the police has been brought into being.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is now in a position to make a statement with regard to the regulations made or to be made under the Factories Acts in respect of the fencing of machines which are being made, repaired or adapted for sale and are not machinery or plant within the meaning of the Factories Act, 1937.

Yes. As promised when this subject was raised in an adjournment debate, a most careful inquiry has been made by Factory Department into accidents involving machinery in course of manufacture. These investigations have satisfied me that it would be quite impracticable to frame regulations in respect of the fencing of such machines.

asked the Minister of Labour to publish in HANSARD a table showing the number of industries for which he has responsibility for wage rates under trade or wages boards, Acts and regulations; the average wage rates paid in each instance in 1946; and what the percentage rise in these rates has been from 1946 to the latest date.

A list of the wages councils established under the Wages Councils Acts, 1945–1948, and the catering wages boards under the Catering Wages Act, 1943, was published on pages 149–150 of the Annual Report of the Ministry of Labour and National Service for 1952 (Cmd. 8893). From that list there should now be deleted the Tobacco Wages Council, which has been abolished, and to it there should be added the two new wages councils, one for England and Wales and the other for Scotland, in the Retail Bread and Flour Confectionery Trade. Sufficient information from which to calculate a reliable average of the wage rates paid in each of the trades covered by these boards and councils and the percentage rise since 1946 is not available.

asked the Minister of Labour the qualifications and duties of the senior trainer, undifferentiated; and where he discharges these duties.

The senior trainer is responsible for the work of the trainers employed in connection with my Department's scheme of training within industry for supervisors. The qualifications of the present holder of the post include a number of years' experience of industry and of the working of the scheme in all its aspects. He is stationed in London but in the course of his duties may travel to any part of Great Britain. I am sending my hon. Friend a pamphlet which explains the scheme and its purpose.

asked the Minister of Labour why the Statistics Department of his Department has increased its staff from 266 to 277 and its salary list from£136,900 to£150,870.

It was necessary to make provision for an increase of staff in the Statistics Department of the Ministry in the estimates for 1953–54, as compared with those for 1952–53, because of the extra work in that Department resulting from the Household Expenditure Inquiry. The increase in the salary list was caused partly by the increase in staff numbers and partly by increases due to pay awards, salary increments and the higher rates of National Insurance contributions.

asked the Minister of Labour the principal items covered in the increased costs of his administration of£259,000.

Despite a continued reduction in staff,£216,000 out of the increased cost of£259,000 in administration shown in the Ministry's estimates for 1953–54 as compared with those for 1952–53 is attributable to increased salary costs because of pay awards, salary increments and the higher rates of National Insurance contributions. The remaining increase is due to additional provision in respect of travelling, etc., expenses owing to higher fares and rates of subsistence allowances.

asked the Minister of Labour how the saving of£29,000 on the item International Labour Organisation, Grant in Aid, Treaty of Peace Act, 1919, was obtained.

The estimated saving for 1953–54 is due mainly to an

asked the Minister of Labour to give the present unemployment figures for Macclesfield.

228 at 12th October, 1953.

asked the Minister of Labour to publish in HANSARD a table of figures showing the registered number of unemployed in Holborn and St. Pancras for a given date in October for each of the years from 1945 to 1953, and similar details for the parliamentary division of Holborn and St. Pancras, South.

Statistics of unemployment are not available for boroughs or Parliamentary divisions. The borough of Holborn is covered by the Kings Cross Employment Exchange and the borough of St. Pancras by the Camden Town Employment Exchange. The Kings Cross Employment Exchange, however, also covers the borough of Finsbury and the South-West Islington Parliamentary Division, and the Camden Town Employment Exchange covers part of the borough of Hampstead. The number of unemployed persons on the registers of the two employment exchanges in October of each of the years 1945 to 1953 were as follows:

asked the Minister of Health the number of doctors and hospitals that have been sued by patients, together with the number of cases that have been settled out of court, and the total amount spent settling cases out of court.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Health, in view of public anxiety, if he will make a statement on the wearing of masks during severe fog conditions; and what action his Department is taking in this connection.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for East Ham, North (Mr. Daines) on 11th November.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the Government statement that our financial position has improved, he will now abolish all charges on the National Health Service.

No.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the increase in the number of registered blind people, and since the various diseases of old age now account for nearly 60 per cent. of all causes of blindness, he will improve the present organisation of eye hospitals, in view of the fact that 80 per cent. of elderly people who have become blind from cataract had no treatment before they went blind.

I assume the hon. Member is referring to Professor Sorsby's Report on the Causes of Blindness in England, 1948–50, recently published by my Department. This showed that of blind cases due to cataract registered over the three years 80 per cent. had had no treatment; but also that in as many as 69 per cent. of registered cases the prospects of successful surgical operation were doubtful. I am however drawing the attention of hospital boards to the report and inviting them to review the hospital facilities for eye treatment.

asked the Minister of Health if, in view of the difference of opinion as regards the merits and demerits of the fluoridation of water, he will appoint a committee of inquiry and consider its report before the practice of fluoridation is adopted.

A Government mission which studied fluoridation in the United States of America has recommended that fluoridation in selected areas in the United Kingdom should be studied before fluoridation is adopted generally The Government have not quite completed consideration of the Mission's report, which was published in July.

asked the Minister of Health the number and cost of prescriptions issued and number of items per prescription form as at the latest available date.

The figures for England and Wales for September, 1953, are:

Number (declared by chemists), 16,524,000.

Estimated prescriptions per form, 1·72.

Estimated cost per prescription, 47·80d.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will make a statement regarding the extended use of B.C.G. vaccine.

Local health authorities have been informed by circular that they may now offer B.C.G. vaccination to older school children. I am sending a copy of the circular to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health if he will make a statement about the setting up of a committee to examine proposals for a new method of hospital costing and, in particular, about the composition of this committee.

Yes. I have set up a Working Party to devise a practical system of departmental and unit costing in hospitals, within the framework of a subjective accounting system, which is likely to be of permanent value to hospital administration. The Working Party includes representatives of the administrative and financial officers of the various types of hospital authorities, the King's Fund and the Nuffield Trust, as well as of the Ministry.The following are the terms of reference and members of the Working Party:

asked the Minister of Health whether he will circularise hospital boards with advice that they should delete from their hospital names depressing words like, for incurables, cancer,&c., so as to remove despondency from patients and relations.

I regard this as a matter for the hospital authorities themselves. Regional hospital boards may, in consultation with the management committees concerned, make such changes in the names of non-teaching hospitals as they think fit, and I am prepared to consider any proposal for a change of name put forward by the board of governors of any teaching hospital.

asked the Minister of Health how many mental defectives are now awaiting admission into appropriate institutions; and what progress has been made during the past year in meeting this need.

There are about 9,300 defectives on the hospital waiting lists. So far during 1953 a net total of just over 600 additional beds have been made available.

asked the Minister of Health if he will consider standardising the short birth certificate and so avoid the present differentiation between the short certificate which is provided after a child has been adopted and that which is issued at birth.

This is a matter which is being considered by the committee set up to inquire into the working of the Adoption Act.

asked the Minister of Health what accommodation is available in Leek Town for maternity cases in hospitals; and to what extent this accommodation has been increased in the past 12 months.

There are 10 beds at the Leek Moorlands Hospital; this accommodation has not been increased in the last 12 months.

asked the Minister of Health how much he has saved by the imposition of a charge on surgical shoes, rupture belts and elastic stockings, respectively.

Statistical information is not available in a form which makes accurate estimates possible. But I estimate roughly that since the introduction of the charges the annual cost to the hospital service of the articles referred to by the hon. Member has been reduced by about£400,000. I am looking into the position of elastic hosiery supplied on the prescription of general practitioners and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health the number of people in Cardiff provided with surgical shoes under the National Health Act during 1950, 1951, 1952 and the anticipated number for 1953.

The numbers were 554, 491 and 456 for 1950, 1951 and 1952, respectively. Information is not at present available on which to base an estimate for 1953.

asked the Minister of Health what action has already been taken in reply to recommendations made to him in June, 1953, by the chairmen of the hospital management committees of the Sheffield Regional Board; what other points are under consideration; and what action is contemplated.

I assume the hon. Member is referring to recommendations regarding junior hospital medical staff which were conveyed to me by the Sheffield Regional Hospital Board in August of this year. I understand that two of these recommendations came from the chairmen of the Board's hospital management committees, one on scales of remuneration and one suggesting the employment of experienced medical officers to supervise work in casualty departments. The question of remuneration is before the appropriate Whitley Council: as regards the second point, I have indicated to hospital boards that I am prepared to approve the appointment of casualty officers of senior standing in appropriate circumstances. I am discussing with the profession other aspects of the shortage of junior hospital medical staff, but I am not yet ready to make a statement.

asked the Minister of Health how many medical preparations listed in the National Formulary are dearer than the proprietary brands of the same preparations; and whether he will list them in HANSARD.

Of preparations in common use in general practice the cost to the Health Service of 18 (listed below) is greater than that of their proprietary equivalents. Ten others may, in some circumstances, be dearer according to which of the equivalent products is prescribed or the size of the pack from which it is dispensed.

• Tab. Mepyramin. Maleat. N.F. 100 mg.
• Tab. Succinylsulphathiazol, B.P.
• Tab. Pethidin Hydrochlor, B.P. 50 mg.
• Tab. Aethunyloestradiol B.P. 0·05 mg.
• Tab. Aethinyloestradiol B.P. 0·1 mg.
• Tab. Ergotamin. Tart. B.P.C.
• Tab. Ferr. Sulph. Co. B.P.C.
• Tab. Oestron B.P. 1 mg.
• Tab. Aethisteron B.P. 5 mg.
• Tab. Acetarsol B.P. 4 gr.
• Tab. Stilboestr. B.P. 0·5 mg.
• Tab. Promethazin. Hydrochlor. N.F. 10 mg.
• Tab. Amidon Hydrochlor. B.P.C.
• Tab. Butobarbiton B.P.C.
• Tab. Phthalylsulphathiazol B.P.C.
• Tab. Sulphadimidin B.P.
• Tab. Hexoestr. B.P. 1 mg.
• Tab. Thyroid B.P. ½ gr.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the high casualty list of Barnsley Beckett Hospital amounting to 31,400 attendances in 1952, and the fact that it is understaffed, he will consider the appointment of a senior casualty officer on the suggested scale of£1,300–£1,750 per annum.

I will certainly consider any proposal the Regional Hospital Board may make for such appointments.

asked the Minister of Education how many local education authorities permit children to be employed in agriculture during term-time.

98 authorities have been authorised to grant exemptions from school attendance to enable children of 13 and over to help with this year's potato harvest, provided they are satisfied that no other source of labour is available. I cannot say how many of these authorities have found it necessary to grant such exemptions. As the hon. Member will now be aware, Defence (Agriculture and Fisheries) Regulations Nos. 29 and 30 under which arrangements have been made by local education authorities for exempting children from school attendance to help with the gathering of crops are being allowed to lapse on the 10th December next and thereafter no such exemptions will be granted. Children will still be able to engage in agricultural work outside school hours, subject to the conditions of Part II of the Children and Young Persons Act, 1933, and to any local byelaws made thereunder.

asked the Minister of Education the pupil-teacher ratios in January last in primary, secondary modern, secondary grammar and secondary technical schools, respectively.